‘Hellraiser: Judgement’ (2017): A New Pinhead Is Coming

Earlier this week, it was announced that a new Hellraiser movie is shooting soon. This is not the Hellraiser remake that is bringing original director Clive Barker back to the franchise. Instead, this is the 10th chapter in the ongoing saga that already exists. The sequel is now confirmed to be titled Hellraiser: Judgement, with some calling it Hellraiser X: Judgement. FX and make-up artist extraordinaire Gary J. Tunnicliffe is now confirmed to direct. The news surprised longtime fans of the franchise, as they weren’t expected to see a new Hellraiser go into production so soon. As the sequel had never been mentioned in the trades. A Nightmare on Elm Street actress Heather Langenkamp broke the news herself when she revealed to ScareTissue.com that she has a cameo in the movie. Though, it isn’t known how big her role may be. Bloody Disgusting announced today that shooting has already begun on the sequel. They note that Gary J. Tunnicliffe attempted to

The news surprised longtime fans of the franchise, as they weren’t expected to see a new Hellraiser go into production so soon. As the sequel had never been mentioned in the trades. A Nightmare on Elm Street actress Heather Langenkamp broke the news herself when she revealed to ScareTissue.com that she has a cameo in the movie. Though, it isn’t known how big her role may be. Bloody Disgusting announced today that shooting has already begun on the sequel. They note that Gary J. Tunnicliffe attempted to

Bloody Disgusting announced today that shooting has already begun on the sequel. They note that Gary J. Tunnicliffe attempted to crowdsource the movie back 2013 with disastrous results. Fangoria has since spoken with Gary J. Tunnicliffe to confirm that everything we’ve heard about the movie thus far is true.

And one of the facts mentioned in the earlier story is that longtime franchise mainstay Doug Bradley will not be back to reprise his iconic role as the infamous Cenobite, Pinhead. Hellraiser: Judgement will instead introduce a new Pinhead to the horror masses, which may not sit well with some fans. It’s being reported that Gary J. Tunnicliffe feels some fans are looking at this sequel as another half-assed cash grab that is simply playing off the title, which was an accusation pointed at the 2011 sequel Hellraiser: Revelations. Bloody Disgusting calls this is a passion project for the director, and that he has spent a lot of time crafting a screenplay that will live up to the legacy of the better movies that have come before it. In our original story, Doug Bradley revealed why he would not be returning as Pinhead. It all came down to a confidentiality agreement that he refuse to sign. The new Pinhead has been cast, but his identity has not been revealed. He is being called ‘a classically trained stage and film actor who brings a great physical presence and more than a hint of Peter Cushing and Ralph Fiennes’. The director went

And one of the facts mentioned in the earlier story is that longtime franchise mainstay Doug Bradley will not be back to reprise his iconic role as the infamous Cenobite, Pinhead. Hellraiser: Judgement will instead introduce a new Pinhead to the horror masses, which may not sit well with some fans. It’s being reported that Gary J. Tunnicliffe feels some fans are looking at this sequel as another half-assed cash grab that is simply playing off the title, which was an accusation pointed at the 2011 sequel Hellraiser: Revelations. Bloody Disgusting calls this is a passion project for the director, and that he has spent a lot of time crafting a screenplay that will live up to the legacy of the better movies that have come before it.

In our original story, Doug Bradley revealed why he would not be returning as Pinhead. It all came down to a confidentiality agreement that he refuse to sign. The new Pinhead has been cast, but his identity has not been revealed. He is being called ‘a classically trained stage and film actor who brings a great physical presence and more than a hint of Peter Cushing and Ralph Fiennes’. The director went on to respond to Doug Bradley’s previous comments, of which you can read here.

“I was thrilled and excited to call Doug and let him know I was writing and directing Hellraiser: Judgement, I considered Pinhead HIS role and I was looking forward to working with him and bringing him back to the fans. Legally, we needed a simple non-disclosure agreement signed (very much common place now with production companies) but he immediately balked. I have no idea why, I’ve signed way more binding NDA’s than that myself, most actors and crew on productions of any size usually have to now. Doug wrote back to me…’I’m going to make myself liable for a million bucks I don’t have just to read a damn script?… I don’t think so’. I was stunned, after all it was my ‘damn’ script and it let me know how he felt straight away. I wrote to him saying I was sorry he felt that way and the next day the search for a new Pinhead began. A few weeks later, we found him. I can’t wait to get him bound in leather, gridded up and in front of the camera and on screens!“

Gary J. Tunnicliffe went on to promise that this new sequel is not just a rehash of what has come before it. And he doesn’t want anyone thinking that it was rushed into production. He calls it an ‘original piece’ and promises fans that it ‘looks pretty amazing’. Here is his plea to those thinking this is just an another bad horror ripoff.

“To the fans, I would say this… I know you’ve been let down, and trust me, I have too, but simply give me a chance. I know we can NEVER make a film as great as the first two HELLRAISER’s, I wouldn’t even attempt to do so, but I think we have a fun script here an opportunity with an amazing cast and crew to give you all something that feels a little familiar, a little different, completely terrifying and is a worthy part of the HELLRAISER Canon… oh and of course if you want blood?… well you’ve got it!“

So, what do you think? Are you willing to give Gary J. Tunnicliffe a chance? Are you excited to see a new take on Pinhead? With so many Cenobites, does this sequel even need to bring back Pinhead? Sound off in the comments below, and let us know what you think! Hellraiser is in development.